Philadelphia Eagles' LeSean McCoy eager for NFL lockout to end

LeSean McCoy is making good use of his free time by making public appearances. The Patriot-News.

With the NFL offseason in full lockout mode, many players are involved in organized workouts, clinics and public service appearances. Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy acknowledged that he has been working out regularly and is anxious to get back to work at the team’s facility, the NovaCare Complex, and at Lehigh University. McCoy, looking fit and bigger than his listed 208 pounds, was on hand Saturday at the Carousel Pavilion at Metro Bank Park for the 25th annual United Cerebral Palsy/Harrisburg Senators Memorabilia Auction. He signed autographs, helmets and T-shirts and interacted with the fans in attendance. With training camps set to open in late July, the community of Bethlehem would take a huge financial hit if the lockout lingered that long. “Discover Lehigh Valley,” the visitors’ bureau for the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton area, estimates 20,000 to 25,000 visitors show up for Eagles camp. “It’s getting close ... really close [to training camp],” McCoy said. “I just want to get back out there and start playing again. We need to get a deal done so we can get back to work. “Just working out, that’s what I’ve been doing. Lately, we’ve had a lot of team workouts that Mike [Vick] organized. A lot of guys are working out in Jersey, so, you know, it’s been going pretty good.” The former Bishop McDevitt High School and University of Pittsburgh star led all NFL running backs in receptions last season with 78. He also ranked fourth in the NFL with 1,672 scrimmage yards and was just one of five players with 1,000 rushing and 500 receiving yards. McCoy’s 5.2 yards-per-carry average ranked second in the league, and was the highest mark in Eagles franchise history among players with at least 200 carries. “It’s been good ... so far, I feel like I’ve been progressing really well,” McCoy said, who improved his vision with Lasik surgery in March. “In my first year, I had to learn a lot about the pro game and doing the little things in our offense. I feel that my progress from my first year to my second was really huge. Hopefully, this year will be the same.” The Eagles gave their running game a shot in the arm by drafting Baylor right guard Danny Watkins in the first round of the NFL draft. The team then turned to the defense with the selections of Temple safety Jaiquawn Jarrett, Utah State cornerback Curtis Marsh and Oregon linebacker Casey Matthews. He’s [Watkins] a big boy who is very talented, and we need him on the line,” McCoy said. “Coach [Andy] Reid and the organization did a good job of getting players to fill needs.” There have been stories coming out of the Philadelphia area about autograph appearance snafus regarding McCoy. One was a no-show in late March after McCoy was paid for the appearance. The latest episode to come out was about a similar situation surrounding money owed. “With the lockout, it’s hard to explain,” McCoy said. “But I had a signing deal with a guy who was selling fake merchandise. The Eagles told me that I couldn’t do anything with him. “As an agreement, as a player, you come out and sign autographs and memorabilia. On his end of the deal, he’s supposed to have real merchandise. Since he didn’t do so, it’s a breach of contract. “They can say all they want, but that’s the truth. The Eagles told all of the players not to deal with the guy. With the lockout, the team can’t deal with him right now.”

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